They say they are impressed by his plans for reforming the system, now ranked 52nd out of 70 public systems in Louisiana, and that he should be allowed to see them through before another superintendent is hired.

"We need to start that conversation," board President Michael Delesdernier said. "Do we need to stay the course or alter our course? Right now I think we're on the right course, and we need to stay the course."

Last month, he presented a plan to overhaul the central office, saying it will reduce the system's top-heavy administration and bring services closer to the schools. He said he will launch the plan in January, with full implementation by the end of his current contract.

The board's national search, is being conducted by Hazard, Young Attea & Associates of Chicago, which was in town recently to develop a leadership profile based on a series of community forums. The firm will present the profile to the board Oct. 17.

Although the board voted to spend up to $60,000 on the search, members said they may stop it at any time and pay only for the work that has been done.

On Sept. 7, the board met privately for "evaluation of the superintendent," according to its agenda. Board members would not comment on the details of the session, but when asked last week whether they were considering extending Meza's employment beyond a year, several said is a strong possibility.

"I was in the minority," board member Sandy Denapolis-Bosarge said of the vote to bar the acting superintendent from applying for the permanent position. "I thought he should be (eligible) if he proved himself and did a good job."

Meza makes $20,660 a month, plus benefits, or $248,000 annually, and board member Mark Jacobs said he is earning his pay.

"I didn't think he would put forth such an aggressive agenda," Jacobs said. "I think he should have an opportunity to see those plans through."

Board members Larry Dale and Ray St. Pierre agreed.

"Thus far I'm pleased with what has been done," St. Pierre said. " And there does seem to be a movement out there to keep him on a longer period of time."

St. Pierre said he prefers a local hire anyway, and Meza's ties to the New Orleans area are appealing. "I'm not a great fan of national searches," he said.

Of the vote against letting the acting superintendent seek the permanent position, St. Pierre said that can easily be changed. "We can do that at anytime," he said. "We just vote again. We probably should not have put that stipulation on ourselves to begin with."

Board member Etta Licciardi said Meza is doing a good job, but she would not comment further, saying she did not want to risk disclosing the discussions of the board's executive session.

Board members Pat Tovrea, Mark Morgan and Cedric Floyd did not return phone calls for comment.

Meza said he would be interested in remaining with the system six months to a year longer than planned. That would give him time to execute his plans in full and work with whomever the school system chooses as his successor.

"It's a major overhaul of the district," Meza said. "But it will take more than a year to implement. I have told the board that if they want me to continue to fulfill the plan, I would be willing to stay longer."